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September 27, 2019 by Peter T Young Leave a Comment

Day 027 – November 18, 1819

November 18, 1819 – We have new occasion to sing of mercies, favorable winds, safe progress, returning health to the body and thought and life to the soul demand our elevated praise. (Thaddeus Journal)

Nov. 18th. Feel, this evening, that we have abundant reason to sing of mercy. The winds are ordered now in our favor, wafting us much farther in this one day, than in many previous. Health seems returning to our family, and light, I trust, to their souls. Several appeared to have a season of unusual enjoyment at our devotions this evening. My dear friend appears to be gaining strength, and with it earnest desire to be a- bout his great work. Some of the day has passed pleasantly, I hope profitably, in reading with him the Memoirs of Dr. Buchanan. May we find a blessing in the perusal, as we proceed. Devoted some part of the day to the instruction of Mary C—, hope to be systematic in it. 0, to be useful in some little way i Have been conversing a little while, on deck, since prayer, with the sisters. They express a wish for some system in the improvement of time, and to be more spiritually alive. May we look to the proper source for assistance. (Sybil Bingham)

Nov. 18. This morning we have fresh experience of the goodness of God. A fine gale is rapidly wafting us from our native land and dear friends, but we welcome it as a token for good. Yes, we rejoice though the winds and the waves bear us from you. We look forward with fond hopes and pleasing expectations, to the time when we hope to anchor at our destined haven. Not that we are at present unhappy; no, we have much real enjoyment. Our Heavenly Father at times pours upon us the light of his countenance and fills our souls with joy unspeakable. I think I feel more than ever, willing to do or suffer whatever may be for God’s glory or conducive to the happiness of his creatures. This world appears really like a bubble and its enjoyments like a fleeting dream. How soon dear parents, shall we have done with all that is mortal. Perhaps before this reaches your much loved dwelling, you and I may lie mouldering in the dust. We have nothing to shield us from the shafts of death. When we behold our friends feeble, emaciated and languishing on a bed of sickness; it leads us to reflect upon our own mortality and ask ourselves, why is it that we enjoy the blessing of health?
Mr. Ruggles (with many others) was taken ill the day after we came on board. He has been very sick, and we have watch over him with anxious hearts. But God who is rich in mercy, has so far restored him to health, that today, he has been able to sit at the table and eat with us. Mr. Bingham has likewise been quite feeble, but is regaining his health. The rest of us at present our tolerable well. (Mercy Partridge Whitney Journal)
10 o’clock, evening. I cannot retire, without telling you we are happy. I have spent most of the evening in our little room, and Mr. has been reading to me “Buchanan’s researches in Asia.” I could scarcely realize that we, my dear parents were separated by a vast ocean so similar were my feelings to what they have frequently been, when in my native country and surrounded by friends and kindred near and dear. It reminded me of many happy evenings which I have spent beneath your roof, where joy was visible in every countenance, and cheerfulness sat smiling on the brow. These are scenes which will never be forgotten and which I shall ever review with pleasure. I experience much happiness in the society of so many dear christian brethren, especially of one with whom I expect to spend my days. It is a great consolation to have a companion and friend who is willing to share with me the trials and hardships of a Missionary life: to sooth my sorrows and animate my hopes. Such a friend is Mr. W. Kind, affectionate and faithful. O may I have a heart to praise God for such an unmerited blessing. (Mercy Partridge Whitney Journal)

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September 26, 2019 by Peter T Young Leave a Comment

Day 028 – November 19, 1819

November 19, 1819 – Blest with precious seasons of soul devotion. The divine spirit seems in some measure to dwell with me. Able to attend morning prayers. (Thaddeus Journal)

Nov. 19th. Lifeless as I am, I feel that I cannot rest without recording in my heart, and with my pen, the goodness of GOD through the past day. For myself, the valley of humiliation would best become me, for, O, where is the ardour of feeling which my mercies demand J Enjoyed, this morning, upon awaking, a tender and solemn season in united supplication with my dearest friend, in which his soul seemed melted and his spirit bowed down in view of the awful responsibility of his station. Went from our little room to the family altar, around, which, in the morning, we had not before been permitted to assemble. There seemed some meltings of heart with several, which, I trust, has been the case through the day. This evening, met the sisters in sister T—’s room, hoping to renew our covenant obligation, one with the other,—to act the part of members of one body to watch over, exhort, admonish, and reprove, as occasion may require.
We could not exactly feel alike on the subject of social prayer at these seasons, in our present inconvenient situation? yet, I trust, all came to the conclusion that it was both our duty and privilege, and resolved, the grace of GOD assisting us, to do accordingly. May He who has styled himself a prayer-hearing GOD, accept and bless us in it. (Sybil Bingham)

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September 25, 2019 by Peter T Young Leave a Comment

Day 029 – November 20, 1819

November 20, 1819 – All the family except Br. Ruggles so far recovered from seasickness and so much accustomed to our new situation as to be able to make a regular division of time and to engage in systematic efforts for the improvement of our minds and 6 hours of the day in ordinary cases are to be considered as study hours. A scooner.
Lat. 33.11. Lon. 35. 52. (Thaddeus Journal)

Nov. 20th. This day, commenced in practice what we have for some time considered in theory, vis, system with respect to the disposition of time. We take an hour immediately after breakfast, for recitations. At the repeated request of the sisters, I take the office of instructress, at this, as also another hour after dinner. While I take this place to assist them in some branches, to which, in the providence of GOD, I have had opportunity to attend and they have not, may I do it meekly, and modestly, sensible that I also shall need, in various ways, their kind offices. Hope myself to be engaged in some study with sister T—looking to Mr. B—as an instructor. It is what I have long desired, to be under a regular course of instruction, that so this untutored mind may be disciplined. 0, may I see to it that I have in view but one object in whatever I attempt— the advancement of Christ’s Kingdom. With my eye to this along will GOD prosper me in my way. (Sybil Bingham)

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September 24, 2019 by Peter T Young Leave a Comment

Day 030 – November 21, 1819

November 21, 1819 – Not allowed to attend public service in consequence of the roughness of the weather.
Lat. 33. 49. Lon. 34. 21 (Thaddeus Journal)

Nov 21. We have had public worship but twice since we came on board; owing to seasickness and bad weather. Probably my dear friends, have this day enjoyed the privilege of assembling for the worship of God in his earthly courts. A precious privilege indeed! O how delightful to go up to the house of the Lord, – there to unite with his saints in worship. Often can I say with the Psalmist, “my soul longeth, yea even fainteth for the courts.” But though deprived of many precious privileges I am happy. I find that God is every where present, and equally able to grant comfort and consolation here as in any place whatever. (Mercy Partridge Whitney Journal)

Nov. 21st. No public worship this Sabbath, owing to the indisposition of our pious friends, who suffer much from sea-sickness every time it comes on to blow. (James Hunnewell)

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September 23, 2019 by Peter T Young 1 Comment

Ordination of Hiram Bingham and Asa Thurston

“It was on September 29, 1819, that people interested in the starting of the Sandwich Island mission gathered in the Goshen Congregational church to witness the ordination of Hiram Bingham and Asa Thurston.”

“In 1809 two native boys, Obookiah and Hopu, had come from the Sandwich Islands to study in this country. It was during a visit at the mission school in Cornwall, where these boys were studying, that Mr. Bingham and Mr. Thurston became interested in this work and began to think these people who were really ‘in the dark places of the earth.’ They graduated from Andover Theological Seminary in the spring of 1819, and in October of that year they sailed away to foreign lands.”

“The day of the Ordination was lovely, as Dr. A. C. Thompson says, ‘Never did the sun look down more brilliantly on our ample woodlands and our little lakes.’ Many strangers came to witness the inspiring scene, and the homes of all the old families of Goshen were hospitably thrown open to receive these guests.”

September 28, 1869, 50th Anniversary of the Ordination

“‘Of the Sandwich Islands’ mission, Goshen (CT) may not improperly be said to be the birthplace. Before the death of Obookiah, Dr. Harvey was one of those who became instrumental in giving form to the idea and purpose.”

“The Executive Committee of the agency, having in charge the Cornwall school, requested him to prepare a petition to the American Board, that they would send out a mission to the islands in question. Such a petition having been written accordingly, and signed by the committee, was duly presented.”

“In process of time the undertaking was resolved upon, and the Prudential Committee of the ABCFM, having appointed two young men as missionaries, requested the North Consociation of Litchfield County to perform the service of their ordination. …:

“‘Providence smiled noticeably in all circumstances of the ordination. The day was singularly clear, and the air unusually exhilarating. Never did the sun look down more brilliantly on our ample woodlands and our little lakes. The very brooks seemed to leap and foam in special excitement, Mohawk and Ivy Mountains, retouched with autumnal splendors, rose more majestic than ever. The hills clapped their hands.”

“A larger assembly than had ever congregated here thronged the old meeting-house. There were many outside who could find no accommodation within. Nearly all the Foreign Mission School were present; as also several students from the Andover Seminary, who afterwards became missionaries.”

“‘Strangers, too, from a distance were here, the honored and the excellent. There was Governor Treadwell, president of the American Board, firm and dignified. There was Doct. Samuel Worcester, the first Corresponding Secretary of the Board. Far-seeing, of sound judgment, and sound theological views, he was accounted one of the giants.”

“There was Jeremiah Evarts, treasurer of the American Board, and afterwards secretary; sagacious, statesmanly, earnest, Pauline in person and with the pen. The Prudential Committee of the Board also came on from Boston — quite a different journey then from what it is now.’”

“‘The sermon was preached by the Rev. Dr. Heman Humphrey, who had been a theological pupil of Mr. Hooker in this place, and was afterwards President of Amherst College, from the words: ‘And there remaineth yet very much land to be possessed.’ (Joshua xiii: 1.) It was quite in advance of the general spirit and sentiment of the times.’” (Hibbard, History of Goshen)

Humphrey “was also an early and an enthusiastic supporter of Christian Missions. He enjoyed the honor of preaching the sermon at the ordination of the first missionaries of the ABCFM to the Sandwich Islands—Rev. Hiram Bingham and Rev. Asa Thurston. … He was identified with almost every prominent organization in his day for the spread of the Gospel.” (Neill)

“‘Rev. Mr. Perry gave the charge in a manner peculiarly impressive, holding out the large pulpit Bible, and enjoining upon the young missionaries faithfully to follow the instructions of that book. Rev. Dr. Porter of Farmington gave the right hand of fellowship. That saintly man, Jeremiah Hallock, of Canton, offered the consecrating prayer. Father Mills led in the opening devotional exercise, and Dr. Worcester in the closing.’”

“‘Of the pieces sung on that occasion one was ‘Jesus shall Reign,’ one that will not become obsolete or distasteful till the predictions of Psalm seventy-second are fulfilled. But the tide of rising interest culminated at the close of the service. Without previous intimation the two consecrated young men stepped into the broad aisle, and with clear, strong, ringing voices — Thurston, tenor; Bingham, base; sung Melton Mowbray (‘Head of the Church Triumphant’).’”

“‘The effect was electrical. Those young missionaries were looked upon as martyrs. Some pictured them as finding their graves in the bottom of the ocean; some as meeting with death at the hands of savages; some as the welcomed heralds of glad tidings to isles waiting for God’s law, and for the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ. Enthusiasm rose to the highest pitch. There are junctures when nothing but the voice of sacred song can either lift the soul to heights unattained before, or give utterance to its exalted emotions.’”

“‘Such a moment was that. The whole occasion is spoken of, by those now living who were present, as one of thrilling interest. For this region, at least, it was altogether novel. The children of some who were there have caught enthusiasm as they have seen the countenances of fathers and mothers almost transfigured with lofty feeling, while rehearsing that scene and noteworthy occurrences at the Sandwich Islands.’”

“‘The ordination of those first missionaries to the Sandwich Islands, with its antecedents and results, furnished in no inconsiderable measure the staple of conversation among religious circles throughout the county, but more especially here. Hearts and hands before closed were then opened. It was a temporary Christian normal school, an effective missionary institute. Goshen was that week one Bethel.’”

“‘The sentiments and feelings of the community were toned up to a level they had never reached before. It helped to make and keep this the banner town in missionary interest. In proportion to its number of inhabitants and valuation, more was at that time contributed here to the cause, and had been for ten years, than in any other town of the county, and perhaps of the country.’” (Hibbard, History of Goshen) (Asa Thurston had died on the field of his mission in 1868, and Hiram Bingham died a little over a month after the 50th anniversary celebration.)

“Within two weeks after the ordination in Goshen, the missionary company assembled in Boston, to receive their instructions and embark. There, in the vestry of Park Street Church, under the counsels of the officers of the Board, Dr. S. Worcester, Dr. J. Morse, J. Evarts, Esq., and others, the little pioneer band was, on the 15th of Oct., 1819, organized into a Church for transplantation. The members renewed their covenant, and publicly subscribed with their hands unto the Lord, and united in a joyful song.’ (O Happy Day That Fixed My Choice)”

Above text is a summary – Click HERE for more information on Ordination of the Missionaries

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